Captive Aquatics: An Aquarium and Ecology Blog

Redfish Magazine Launches

Redfish Magazine is a new, free digital aquarium and pond magazine for the US, EU, AU, and NZ.  Personally, I'm a huge fan of international publications, because I find US aquarium writing too 'fad-ish' and their aquariums unnaturally gaudy (with the exception of my all time favorite, Advanced Aquarist, of course).  I'm very much looking forward to seeing this publication progress (especially the coldwater topics), and who knows, might even pen an article or two when I have time.  In the meantime go check it out, and while you're at it, enter their aquarium photo competition!

Kelvin Temperature and Aquarium Lighting: What is Kelvin?

Beware, kelvin temperature is another mind bender!  Kelvin temperature (abbreviated as K), is the scientific unit for temperature, and is often used to measure the color temperature of light, or more accurately, the measurement of the temperature of an object emitting black body radiation, also known as thermal radiation, or radiant heat as visible light.  All objects at a temperature greater than absolute zero emit some form of thermal radiation, although at room temperature the wavelength of this radiation is too large for the human eye to perceive.  Still confused?

 

Where have all the predators gone?

A study in Science put in perspective the current decline of predators and the affects of their loss on the environment.  The study was conducted by a international team of scientists whom looked at predators in terrestrial, freshwater and saltwater ecosystems.  The study concluded that "the loss of apex consumers is arguably humankind's most pervasive influence on the natural world." and claims that humankind has only seen the beginning changes that are occurring in ecosystems.  See why below!